The Almighty Dominance

One hour later, Alex and Josephine stepped onto the rooftop lounge.

The city stretched out around them, glittering like spilled diamonds.

The place was sleek, stylish-soft music in the air, groups of friends sipping drinks, laughing, pretending to live in a dream.

"Josephine! Over here!"

A man shot to his feet the moment they entered, waving with far too much eagerness.

His eyes clung to Josephine like a starving dog to a bone, the kind of hunger so raw it made everyone in the lounge turn and notice.

Alex traced the sound through the crowd, his gaze sharp, weighing each face.

Then one figure cut through the noise of strangers, impossible to ignore-she glowed like a peacock flaunting its feathers in full display.

She was stunning.

Youthful, delicate, her oval face shaped like fine porcelain, her features so refined they seemed sculpted by careful hands.

She wore innocence like a crown, polished and flawless, a purity so perfect it almost blinded.

One glance from her could hook a man's soul and drag him under.

But Alex wasn't fooled. He saw the truth flicker in her eyes.

The sweetness was nothing but a mask, a role she had mastered long ago. She didn't just attract attention-she hunted it, fed on it, lived for it.

Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many.

But not the few who know where to look.

"Sorry we're late," Josephine said brightly, though her body stiffened under the stares.

She plastered on a smile, forcing warmth where discomfort hid. Then, with deliberate boldness, she hooked her arm through Alex's.

"Everyone, this is Alex." Her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "My boyfriend."

The word dropped like a stone in a glass pond. Silence rippled across the group. Several men's faces twisted, their eyes hard with envy, hostility flickering like flames.

Josephine ignored them. She tugged Alex forward, guiding him straight to the radiant girl.

Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "That's Giselle. She grew up with me in the orphanage, but a wealthy family adopted her. Even back then, she was too beautiful to be ignored."

Facing the girl, Josephine's smile widened. "Alex, this is Giselle Laurent. The country's rising star. Millions already adore her."

"Jo, don't exaggerate." Giselle pouted, feigning humility. "I'm just a beginner. Still a long way from fame."

an arm over her shoulder like

is angelic, and your beauty matches it-like something unearthly. As a newcomer,

a matter of time before you rise even higher-you'll be a

always been my supporter, Jo. My bestie since we were

an outsider

in, her lips

stranger? What if he's some obsessed fan who starts snapping pictures and splashes them all over

fine," Giselle replied smoothly, not a crack in her smile. "If he's

don't. He doesn't belong

boyfriend fights

thug? A bodyguard? Fighting means nothing today.

his resentment plain for all to

Giselle, but she soared too high, always out of reach, her world closed

beautiful, just as angelic, but far quieter, easier to

to be shut out at every

claim another man before his

This stranger doesn't fit in. Giselle's too kind to

had a soft heart," another voice

a stray dog off the street, she'd treat it like gold. Maybe that's

already glaring at Alex,

narrowed eyes carried the unspoken

in quickly, her tone sharp but

let Giselle sing

better than to push

and no one wanted to risk being cast out of her circle. Reluctantly, they pulled

been ages since I've heard Giselle sing," one man said, sucking up fast.

Don't keep us waiting," another called out, voice dripping with

cheers spread, and Giselle stepped forward with a

glided onto the stage, the rooftop lights catching her flawless skin,

the lounge. Even strangers-powerful-looking VIPs nursing

beauty is stealing the spotlight," one

beneath the lights,

man who had a drink in him leaned forward, eyes hungry. And when she opened her mouth to sing, her

froze the

had to admit: this

final note faded, the

cheered, and clapped until the air

swaggered onto the stage, his cheap cologne and

pretty thing," he drawled, leering. "Lucky night for

sit with him. You'll get

sorry,

barked out a laugh, loud and crude. "Come on, sweetheart. You're just a singer. Everyone's got a price. Name it. My boss is loaded You should be grateful thank your guardian angel for putting you in his sights."